VBAC jitters

[3flightsofstairs]

So I've done the reading, got my consultant and mw led maternity unit to back me (they've even said I can have a waterbirth!) and am allowed to use the "home from home" unit - birthing balls, intermittent monitoring, etc. and feel, erm, quite positive about the whole thing.

Any suggestions in combatting the fear that I seem to be developing? Or is it the 17 days and counting that's getting to me and this is completely normal? And possibly the fact that someone who I don't even know called VBAC twaddle?

fear is fine ! fear is normal !

waterbirth is great ! absolutely marvellous , you;ve got all the things lined up that can really make a massive difference to getting a positive birth experience!!

now, you need to address your fear, look it in the eye, and tell it to bog off !!

it is fear of the unknown, you;ve had a c,s you know what that is like... so you are worried about the birth

this is normal

women get this fear before birth, no matter how many babies they have had, and how they have been delivered

i think as the day looms closer, you do get a little frightened

try and change that into excitement!

try to do lots of visulisation of the birth experience you want, and get that firmly planted in your head, to counteract the fear !

go for it !

"twaddle"? >

Twaddle?

We call it 'the Wobbles' on the other VBAC board I frequent, it is entirely normal and is down to the fact that we have been led to believe that somehow our bodies are broken, don't work properly.

However, it is more a case of us having been let down by the system during our previous birth - Inductions, CS for Breech, outdated protocols, poor support by mws that are not trained to be 'with woman'... Birth is not an illness but we are treated with the expectation that something will go wrong and it often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy!

You have managed to get your HCPs to agree to treat you like a good birthin' mama and I hope they stay true to their word.

You can do it and I know you can do it, make sure your birth partner knows this too. Every time you have a wobble come and tell us about it, we'll remind you that you're normal! :-)

I also have 2 and ahlf weeks til due and going for a VBAC. I lkeep having the wobbles and worrying about square pegs and round holes.

I also want an active natural labour but finding consultant resistant. I just felt I'll cross that bridge when I get to hospital. I got so hung up on my natural labour/delivery for DS1 (breech) that I felt I'd let myslef and him down when I failed to progres adn had to have a CS.

I keep reminding myself of the pain and discomfort of the first time round after the delivery whenever I wobble and worry abotu the pain of delivery!

Good luck!

wobbles are normal

read some ina may and remind yourself how strong and capable you are !

woo hoo !

I was induced with dd, first baby and then that led to ventouse with epesiotomy etc etc. This time I am going for home birth with pool and independent midwife who says she won't touch me unless I need it and I am very excited and positive about the imoending experience.

Stick with it. Everybody gets nervous as lulamama said but we can all be natural birthin mamas !!!

take the consultants with a pinch of salt...one of mine said 'well your body failed you last time, what on earth makes you think you can do it this time?' (I'd actually chosen an elective CS which he'd known if he'd bothered to read my notes!) Dropped him and got my midwife to choose an empathetic one - who was fully supportive. As a result, had a fab VBAC (in hospital, induced but it was brilliant)

I would have thought that fear is good, as long as you try and address what it is that you're afraid of. My doula made me tell her what my fears were - just saying them out loud made me feel better, and she was able to get rid of one of them completely. It's worth saying exactly what they are!

oh, thanks everyone. I'm feeling strong and powerful (if a little like a big pregnant blimp)! Fab idea Corrie, I'm off to write a list!
Good luck Diplidophus, when's your due date?

I'm due on the 30th - what abut you?

i'm due on the 29th. I'll be thinking of you and sending you good karma! You're not in London by any chance are you?

No I'm in Surrey - booked into Frimley.

Good luck to you as well. I keep getting twinges and thinkt hat it is imminent. Never comes to anything though.

Last day at work today! Now I've made it through my last couple fo weeks I want to carry on to term so I at least get a few days to myself.